Tool holder

Abstract

A tool holder comprises an insertion element, a collar and a frame. The insertion element is sized to fit within an opening of a chamber. The insertion element comprises at least one retention element, and each retention element is configured to apply pressure to a wall of the chamber thereby maintaining the disposition of the tool holder relative to the chamber. The collar is attached to the insertion element, and the collar is sized to prevent the tool holder from being completely inserted within the chamber. The frame defines an aperture sized to allow at least a portion of an elongated tool to drop through the aperture, yet further sized to prevent at least a portion of the elongated too to drop through the aperture, thereby suspending the elongated tool.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tool holder having an center axis, the tool holder comprising:
 an insertion element, the insertion element comprising at least one retention element, each retention element configured to apply outward pressure in response to pressure applied toward the center axis of the tool holder; 
 a collar attached to and disposed at least partially above the insertion element, the collar defining an aperture generally perpendicular to the center axis of the tool holder; and 
 a frame attached to the collar and the insertion element, the frame defining an aperture generally perpendicular to the center axis of the tool holder and aligned with the aperture formed by the collar, the frame further defining at least one rounded extraction wall, whereby when a barbed tool is inserted into the tool holder the at least one rounded extraction wall functions to prevent any barbs from catching on the tool holder when the tool is extracted. 
 
     
     
       2. The tool holder of  claim 1  wherein the frame comprises at least one insertion wall, each insertion wall disposed such that the center axis of the tool holder in proximity to the collar and the insertion wall form an acute angle. 
     
     
       3. The tool holder of  claim 1  further comprising a fastener receiving structure, the fastener receiving structure configured to receive a fastener. 
     
     
       4. The tool holder of  claim 3  wherein the fastener receiving structure defines a fastener aperture. 
     
     
       5. The tool holder of  claim 1  wherein each retention element exerts an outward force when pressure is applied toward the axial center of the tool holder. 
     
     
       6. The tool holder of  claim 1  wherein the retention element is configured to mate with a recessed portion of a wall of a chamber when the tool holder is at least partially inserted within the chamber. 
     
     
       7. The tool holder of  claim 1  wherein the retention element is configured to mate with a raised portion of a wall of a chamber when the tool holder is at least partially inserted within the chamber. 
     
     
       8. The tool holder of  claim 1  wherein at least of portion of the aperture defined by the frame may be disposed within a void formed by a chamber. 
     
     
       9. The tool holder of  claim 1  wherein at least of portion of the aperture defined by the frame may be disposed outside of a void formed by a chamber. 
     
     
       10. The tool holder of  claim 1  comprising two retention elements. 
     
     
       11. The tool holder of  claim 10  wherein the retention elements are fins. 
     
     
       12. The tool holder assembly of  claim 1  wherein each retention element exerts an outward force when pressure is applied toward the axial center of the tool holder. 
     
     
       13. The tool holder assembly of  claim 1  wherein the retention element is configured to mate with a recessed portion of a wall of a chamber when the tool holder is at least partially inserted within the chamber. 
     
     
       14. The tool holder assembly of  claim 1  wherein the retention element is configured to mate with a raised portion of a wall of a chamber when the tool holder is at least partially inserted within the chamber. 
     
     
       15. The tool holder assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least of portion of the aperture defined by the frame may be disposed within a void formed by a chamber. 
     
     
       16. The tool holder assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least of portion of the aperture defined by the frame may be disposed outside of a void formed by a chamber. 
     
     
       17. A tool holder assembly, comprising:
 a tube having a square opening at a first end; and 
 a tool holder having an center axis, the tool holder comprising:
 an insertion element comprising at least one retention element, each retention element configured to apply outward pressure in response to pressure applied toward the center axis of the tool holder; 
 a collar attached to and disposed at least partially above the insertion element, the collar sized defining an aperture generally perpendicular to the center axis of the tool holder; and 
 a frame attached to the collar and the insertion element, the frame defining an aperture generally perpendicular to the center axis of the tool holder and aligned with the aperture formed by the collar, the frame further defining at least one rounded extraction wall, whereby when a barbed tool is inserted into the tool holder the at least one rounded extraction wall functions to prevent any barbs from catching on the tool holder when the tool is extracted. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The tool holder assembly of  claim 17  wherein the frame comprises at least one insertion wall, each insertion wall disposed such that the center axis of the tool holder in proximity to the collar and the insertion wall form an acute angle. 
     
     
       19. The tool holder assembly of  claim 17  further comprising a fastener receiving structure, the fastener receiving structure configured to receive a fastener. 
     
     
       20. The tool holder assembly of  claim 19  wherein the fastener receiving structure defines a fastener aperture. 
     
     
       21. The tool holder assembly of  claim 17  comprising two retention elements. 
     
     
       22. The tool holder assembly of  claim 21  wherein the retention elements are fins.